Marsh Marigold aka Elk’s Lip (Caltha leptosepala)

Sturgeon Trail near Silver Star Mountain, WA, 5/2015.

Medieval Christians dedicated this flower to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Shakespeare makes reference to it in his play Cymbeline. A close relative Caltha Palustris (translated as “marsh cup”) has leaves which are said to be superior to spinach when boiled.

On a May hike up Silver Star Mountain, Tara noticed what appeared to be a meadow a few yards south of Sturgeon trail. On closer inspection, it turned out to be a sloping wetland with as many Marsh Marigolds as we’ve ever seen in one place. Well worth the muddy boots!